Will "The Man" Show up And LIve Up To HIs $57 MIllion Contract

[The Janitor]

"I'm ready to take it from the practice field into the game," Robinson said.

Robinson, the franchise's major offseason acquisition, did not play during the preseason after suffering a hamstring injury early in training camp.

All eyes will be focused on the Athens native when he takes the field at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was signed to a six-year, $57.5 million contract and is expected to add some blanket coverage to a secondary that finished 28th in the league (242.1 yards per game) against the pass last season.

While he didn't play in the exhibition games, Robinson has been practicing for the past two weeks. After last season's rash of injuries, the Falcons were extremely cautious with Robinson.

He was close to playing in the third exhibition game against Miami. He wanted to match up against Brandon Marshall, one of the league's top receivers.

But during the pre-game medical evaluation it was determined that there was still some soreness in his hamstring. With Miami's dirt infield and the soreness, it was determined that Robinson shouldn't play.

Robinson doesn't feel that he missed much by not going up against Marshall.

"I go up against Roddy [White] every day," Robinson said. "So I face a great receiver every day in practice."

He wanted to play in the exhibition finale against Jacksonville, but the coaching staff elected to sit 22 of the 24 projected starters.

"Obviously, that was the best thing for me, because now it feels much better," Robinson said. "Not rushing it was a good thing. Coming out here and getting focused and still getting the mental reps was a good thing."

The Falcons are counting on Robinson to add some leadership and toughness to what was the team's weakest unit last season.

"He is a guy who's very focused," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "He's about physicality. He tries to make plays on the ball. He's a guy that we expect to be a difference maker for us in the secondary."

In free agency, Robinson ordered his agent to negotiate solely with the Falcons. He wanted to be on a team he thought was on the rise in the NFL.

"You don't want to go to a team that's already accomplished," Robinson said. "You want to build something. That way you feel like you helped instead of jumping on the bandwagon like some guys do. I definitely feel that I can help this team get to where they are trying to go."

Robinson has garnered the respect of his fellow cornerbacks in a short period of time. They look to the six-year veteran for guidance and skill development tips.

"They also look to him for positive leadership," Dimitroff said. "It's understated. There is a [calmness] and a seriousness to his leadership, and they really respect that in Dunta."

They also know that he will be ready when they take the field on Sunday.

"He's looking real good," safety Thomas DeCoud said. "He's breaking on the ball. He's making plays on the ball. ... He's getting everything all greased up."

Robinson didn't practice last preseason, but the circumstances were much different. He was unhappy with his contract situation in Houston.

He signed a one-year tender the week before the start of the season and played in the opener.

"I'm not worried at all," Robinson said. "I just want to get out here with this defense."

Robinson was on hand for the offseason program and worked with the defense. But he played on the left side.

Against Pittsburgh, he'll play on the right side and either Brent Grimes or Christopher Owens will line up on the left side.

It will be the first time playing together in that alignment, but Robinson doesn't think cohesiveness will be an issue.

"I think the guys understand me and know what I can do," Robinson said. "They understand what kind of player I am. They understand what I can do on the football field."

You can tell that Robinson is getting a little antsy. He clearly wants some action.

While he knows he's expected to provide tight pass coverage, he's looking forward to the hitting aspects of the job.

"Blitzing and hitting quarterbacks is what I prefer," Robinson said. "A lot of guys, quarterbacks and receivers, after I hit them, they look around and think it was somebody else. They don't think it was the little dude. ... They expect me to make interceptions, but they don't expect me to come up and knock their heads off."

His 1st game in a new uniform and a lot of Critics to silence..Will this man show up sunday Atlanta??No doubt in my mind he will..

[ChessPlayer1]

"I'm ready to take it from the practice field into the game," Robinson said.

Robinson, the franchise's major offseason acquisition, did not play during the preseason after suffering a hamstring injury early in training camp.

All eyes will be focused on the Athens native when he takes the field at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was signed to a six-year, $57.5 million contract and is expected to add some blanket coverage to a secondary that finished 28th in the league (242.1 yards per game) against the pass last season.

While he didn't play in the exhibition games, Robinson has been practicing for the past two weeks. After last season's rash of injuries, the Falcons were extremely cautious with Robinson.

He was close to playing in the third exhibition game against Miami. He wanted to match up against Brandon Marshall, one of the league's top receivers.

But during the pre-game medical evaluation it was determined that there was still some soreness in his hamstring. With Miami's dirt infield and the soreness, it was determined that Robinson shouldn't play.

Robinson doesn't feel that he missed much by not going up against Marshall.

"I go up against Roddy [White] every day," Robinson said. "So I face a great receiver every day in practice."

He wanted to play in the exhibition finale against Jacksonville, but the coaching staff elected to sit 22 of the 24 projected starters.

"Obviously, that was the best thing for me, because now it feels much better," Robinson said. "Not rushing it was a good thing. Coming out here and getting focused and still getting the mental reps was a good thing."

The Falcons are counting on Robinson to add some leadership and toughness to what was the team's weakest unit last season.

"He is a guy who's very focused," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "He's about physicality. He tries to make plays on the ball. He's a guy that we expect to be a difference maker for us in the secondary."

In free agency, Robinson ordered his agent to negotiate solely with the Falcons. He wanted to be on a team he thought was on the rise in the NFL.

"You don't want to go to a team that's already accomplished," Robinson said. "You want to build something. That way you feel like you helped instead of jumping on the bandwagon like some guys do. I definitely feel that I can help this team get to where they are trying to go."

Robinson has garnered the respect of his fellow cornerbacks in a short period of time. They look to the six-year veteran for guidance and skill development tips.

"They also look to him for positive leadership," Dimitroff said. "It's understated. There is a [calmness] and a seriousness to his leadership, and they really respect that in Dunta."

They also know that he will be ready when they take the field on Sunday.

"He's looking real good," safety Thomas DeCoud said. "He's breaking on the ball. He's making plays on the ball. ... He's getting everything all greased up."

Robinson didn't practice last preseason, but the circumstances were much different. He was unhappy with his contract situation in Houston.

He signed a one-year tender the week before the start of the season and played in the opener.

"I'm not worried at all," Robinson said. "I just want to get out here with this defense."

Robinson was on hand for the offseason program and worked with the defense. But he played on the left side.

Against Pittsburgh, he'll play on the right side and either Brent Grimes or Christopher Owens will line up on the left side.

It will be the first time playing together in that alignment, but Robinson doesn't think cohesiveness will be an issue.

"I think the guys understand me and know what I can do," Robinson said. "They understand what kind of player I am. They understand what I can do on the football field."

You can tell that Robinson is getting a little antsy. He clearly wants some action.

While he knows he's expected to provide tight pass coverage, he's looking forward to the hitting aspects of the job.

"Blitzing and hitting quarterbacks is what I prefer," Robinson said. "A lot of guys, quarterbacks and receivers, after I hit them, they look around and think it was somebody else. They don't think it was the little dude. ... They expect me to make interceptions, but they don't expect me to come up and knock their heads off."

His 1st game in a new uniform and a lot of Critics to silence..Will this man show up sunday Atlanta??No doubt in my mind he will..

Excellent read- plus one frm me

[The Janitor]

You kno wat i hope i dnt have to bite my tounge or eat my words..but i have a STRONG feelin that Robinson is goin to be a "Threat" to any team we face this year

Sorta of the swagg that Deangolo Hall had(w/o the cockyness) think this man has a probowl season..u dnt have to agree but i will b back here to tell u I TOLD U SO -_-

[Photofalcon]

So,has anyone seen how he has done against Roddy in practice?

[FalconinPA]

I truly hope he will and think that he can. But only time will tell.

[The Janitor]

I truly hope he will and think that he can. But only time will tell.

::lookin at the clock:: time isnt movin fast enough..hope roddy gives him the best 5 more days of practice

[Turner2endZone]

Like I was saying earlier on another thread, I watched some Dunta highlights the other day and he should most definitly bring intensity to the defense. The dude can hit hard.

I think he is a great addition to the team, and I can only imagine how much he wants to get out on that field and show everyone that he is worth that money.

[JayOzOne]

I hope the DL makes his job easy for him by getting pressures and hits. If he's not back there for 7 seconds, he's going to have opportunities.

[Tribal Chief]

He has 16 games to do so. Heck, Roddy is a $50 million dollar man and still cant catch that good so it's all good

[The Janitor]

He has 16 games to do so. Heck, Roddy is a $50 million dollar man and still cant catch that good so it's all good

Are u prefferin to the preseason game..maybe a lil rust S*** who knows but he better not bring that into the regular season

[NorCal Falcon Fan]

One good hard sack from Abe or the Beirmann and he'll stay firmly planted in the pocket until one of the 300# DT's pancake him into the grass. Or if he gets out of the pocket, Lofton, Spoon, or, Willy Mo will crank him back into it...

[Hashbrown3]

One good hard sack from Abe or the Beirmann and he'll stay firmly planted in the pocket until one of the 300# DT's pancake him into the grass. Or if he gets out of the pocket, Lofton, Spoon, or, Willy Mo will crank him back into it...

Yep. I want to see him hit hard and often. There is nothing more frustrating than watching someone run around all game long and never take a solid whack. I hope we ring his bell one time after another. It will lend itself to errant throws and make him lay down quickly in order to avoid the broken facemask...

Edited September 7, 2010 by HASHBROWN3